Synopsis: – Each episode of Kingpins focuses on one city, one criminal enterprise and one boss, tracking an illicit industry from foot soldiers and their victims to the person at the very top – the kingpin.

Criminal organisations are carefully structured and brutally run. Like a legitimate business, there’s a hierarchy of underlings, operatives and decision makers. And there’s one person at the very top, pulling the strings – the kingpin. But how do they make it there?

This series explores the steps taken to reach the pinnacle of a crime gang and the vicious behaviour required to stay there. Using unprecedented access to criminals from across the globe, the kingpins’ motivations are analysed and exposed.

Episode Highlights

Episode 1 – 21 January 2026

(Mexico’s Tiger King)

In the debut episode of Kingpins, host Ben Zand travels to Mexico to meet with a high-ranking drug lord affiliated with the notorious Sinaloa Cartel.

Episode 2 – 28 January 2026

(The Arms Dealer of Lebanon)

In this episode, Ben goes to war-torn Lebanon to explore the covert world of arms dealing and meets a prominent arms dealer.

Episode 3 – 4 February 2026

(The UK’s Crack Cocaine Gangs)

This episode sees Ben investigate the working-class gangs that control the crack-cocaine trade in Northern England.

Don’t miss Kingpins on Wednesdays at 19:00 on S3 and SABC Plus.

For media enquiries

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za